Apparatus for automatic washing of a flush lavatory



Aug. 26, 19 9 AFPARATUS FOR Filed Nov. 15. 1966 MASUO ICHIMORI ET Lerne Appvonch 3 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

MASUO ICHIMORI ET A1. 3,462,769

Aug. 26, 1969 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING O! A FLUSH LAVATORY Filed NOV. 15. 1966 s Sheets-Sheet :s

Unitcd States Patent Office 3,462,769 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING OF A FLUSH LAVATORY Masuo Ichimori and Tadayuki Ishikawa, Kyoto-fu, Japan, assignors t Tateisi Electronics Co., Kyoto-shi, Japan, a corporation of Japan Filed Nov. 15, 1966, Set. N0. 594,491 Claims priority, application Japan, Nov. 27, 1965, 72,7 17/ 65 Int. C]. E03d /10 U.S. C]. 4-100 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE When an electrostatic capacity detecting apparatus detects the approach of a user to a toilet fixture, a valve is opcned a predctermined tirne and a prelirninary flushing of water is eflectcd. When the apparatus detects departure of the user from the fixture, the valve is again opencd another predetermined time to make a further flushing of water.

The present invention relates to apparatus for automatic washing of a flush lavatory, and particularly relates to a control apparatus which actuates means to supply amount of Water to a toilet fixture responsive to the presence of a user.

In the prior art, utilization of a stool or a urinal is detected by means of a user approach detecting apparatus which is m0unted in an appropriate place near the stool or the urinal. A flush of watcr is discharged in response to means for dctection that the user left' the toilet fixture. However, the operational elfect of washing after the fixture is used is insuflicient.

More particularly, when an automatic flushing apparatus of this type is installed in a place when the flushing apparatus is not used often, the immer surface of the fixture is undcr such a dry condition that only one flush after using cannot bring out sufiicient washing effect. This is, proved by an experiment in which sornc colored ink is put on the dry inner surface of the stool bef-ore the stool is used and one flushing is made; after this operation sonne of the colorcd ink is 1eft unwashed away frorn the surface. However, when a considerable amount of flushing watcr is uscd for washing, the washing eflect may be complete but economically this amount of water becomes intolerable.

The present invention overcomes the difliculty stated above. Specifically, in the invention of subject application, after an electrostatic capacity detecting apparatus detects approaching of a user to the fixure, a valvc is opened a predetermined time and a preliminary flushing of water is brought about. After the apparatus detects the departure of the user from the place where the stool is installcd, the valve is again opcncd another predetermincd tirne t0 efiect a further flushing of water.

By this process the number of flushings apparently increases, but the washing clfect is rather improved in a flushing in which a predeterrnined quantity of water is flushed in two parts, one before using the fixture and the other after using the fixture, as opposed to a flushing in which the total of the predetermined quantity of water is flushed once after the fixture is used, even though the one flush is lass in quantity than the other flush. This is clearly due to the fact that when the dry inner surface of the fixture is moistened -by means of even a small quantity of preliminary flushing of water, the material to be washed away does not tend to adhere to the inner surface so that 3,462769 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 the Washing effect after the fixture is used may be sufiic1ent even if the water is half or less of the total quantity of the predetermincd water.

Therefore, it is an object of the prcsent invcntion t0 proV1de an apparatus to flush washing water for a toilet lixtnreboth prior to and after stool use by detecting capac- 1ty vanation caused by users approach to the fixture and thereby detecting the fixture user being at thc position in which he assumes in using the fixture.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide Wash1ng apparatus being equipped with a control circuit to control amount of the flushing water after using a fixture bcing larger than amount of the flushing water prior to fixturc use.

Fulther objects and advantages of the present invention Will become apparent frorn the following description and annexcd drawings. Though the present invcntion can be applied to not only a stool but also a urinal, the following embodirnent of the present invention is applied to a urinal.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a urinal embodied with the prcsent invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention,

3 shows wave forms observed at each block in FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment in accordance With thc present invention,

FIG. 5 shows wave forrns observed at each block in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an electrical circuit of a further embodimcnt of the present invention, and

FIG. 7 shows wave forms observed at euch block in FIG. 6.

Rcfcrring to FIG. l, therc is shown the constructive rclation between a urinal and an apparatus emboding the present invention. A unnal 1 is shown mounted on the side of a Wall 2. On thc upper surface 3 of the urinal 1 thcre is connected a Water supply pipc 4 which is used to supply flush washing water to thc urinal 1. The supplied water from the supply pipc 4 to the urinal 1 is eventually draincd by pipe 6 connected with the lower poxtion 5 of the urinal l. A control means contained in box 7 opcrates to control the flow of Watcr supplied to the water supply pipe 4. In thc control box 7, there is contained an electrical circuit and an electro-magnetic flow valve. The surface 811 of the control box 7 which is facing toward a urinal user is a form of an elcctrical capacitor plate. When the urinal user approaches the electrical capacitor plate 8a, the said elcctrical circuit connected with the clectrical plate 8a detects bis approach and operates to control the said valve so that washing water may be supplicd for a predetermined period, and on the other band when he leaves the field of influence over electrical plate 8a, the said electrical circuit detects bis departure and operates agaiu to control the said valve so that washing watcr may be supplied for a predetermined pcriod. This Operation =of the electrical circuit and electro-magnetic valve will -be described in detail hereinaftcr.

As illustrated above, FIG. 2 is a block diagrarn of an embodiment of the prcsent invention and FIG. 3 shows wave forms observed at each block in FIG. 2. The operation and merit of the present invcntion Will be expained by using FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, as follows:

When the urinal user approaches the electrical plate 8a the electrostatic capacity of the electrical plate 8a changes. A detector 9 senses this static capacity variation and thereby supplies an output signal. Wherein, the detector 9 keeps the output signal thereof till the urinal user leaves the area of the electrical plate 8a and the output is a signal such as shown in FIG. 3 (a1). This output signal is supplied to a diflerential circuit '10 so as to produce a rising signal such as shown in FIG. 3 (b1), and then the signal is supplied to an one-sbot multivibrator 11 which is a kind of monostable one-sbot multivibrators. The one-sbot multi-vibratr 11 produces an output having a predetermined time width such as shown in FIG. 3 (C1). The output signal shown in FIG. 3 (C1) operates to energize, tbrough an OR circuit 12 and an amplifier, a solenoid 14 of the electro-rnagnetic valve so as to supply washing water for a predetermined period. Therefore, it becomes possible to wash the urinal before the urinal user uses the urinal.

011 the other band, as the urinal user leaves the urinal, the electrostatic capacity of the electric plate becomes decreased and thereby the output of the detector 9 becomes zero as shown in FIG. 3 (a1). An output of a NOT circuit 15 connected to the detector 9 is as shown in FIG. 3 (dl), reversed in phase witb respcct to the wave shown in FIG. 3 (a1). Therefore, when the urinal user leaves the urinal and the detector 9 supplies 110 output, the'zoutput wave form shown in FIG. 3 (dl) of the NOT circuit 15 rises and the output is transformed in form as shown FIG. 3 (el) by a differential circuit 16. The output as shown FIG. 3 (el) is supplied to an oneshot multi-vibrator 17 which is a kind of mono-stable oneshot multi-vibrators. The one-sbot multi-vibrator produces such an output baving a precletermined time width as shown in FIG. 3 (f1), by which the solenoid of the electrornagnetic valve is energized. The time Width of the output from the one-shot multi-vibrator 17 is designed to be longer tban that of the said one-shot multi-vibrator 11 so as to promote the washing efliciency. Accordingly, in this case, the operation of the solenoid initiates at the urinal users approach and leaving as shown in FIG. 3 (111) and the electro-magnetic valve supplies amount of wasbing water corresponding to respective operation period of the solenoid.

The above description is made of an apparatus which actuates the solenoid 14 of the electro-magnetic valve to supply washing water instantly after the user leaves the vicinity of the fixture. However, it is otten desired for an apparatus to supply washing water not instantly but with some time delay atter use. Especially, in case that the washing water is dispersed in flowing out, an apparatus which supply washing water witb some time delay after use of the fixture is quitely preferable. The provision of a delay circuit (not shown) in series witb the circuits 15-17 makes possible the supply washing water Witb some time delay after use of the fixture. In other words, by the provision of a delay circuit, it is possible to actuate the solenoid of the electro-magnetic valve as shown in FIG. 3 (gl) which bas sorne time delay Witb respect to FIG. 3 (f1). Accordingly, the solenoid 14 operates as shown in FIG. 3 (111) when the urinal user approaches and leaves the urinal and thereby amount of washing water to be supplied corresponds to respective operation period of the solenoid.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5 shows wave forms of res[aective outputs from eacb block in FIG. 4. This embodiment utilizes the following principle. This principle is that when positive and negative Signals are supplied to an amplifier comprising NPN type semiconductor, the amplifier responds to only the positive signal and does not responds to the negative Signals and that when positive and negative Signals are supplied to an amplifier comprising PNP type semiconductor, the amplifier respo'r1ds to only the negative signal and does not respond to the positive signal. In accordance With the present invention, the signal from the detecting device througb the ele ':trical plate 8b is a constant level signal during the time frorn the users approach to the fixture to bis departure therefrom. Therefore the present invention supplies washing water by using a signal obtained by ditferentiating this constant level signal at the time when the user approaches the urinal and leaves. A differential signal in case of the user approacbing the urinal and a diflerential signal in case of the urinal user leaving the fixture are reversed in phase eacb otber, and therefore if the amplifier circuit comprises an PNP type semiconductor or a PNP type semiconductor, it is noted that the amplifier circuit responds only to one of the passive and negative pulse signals.

Illustrating more particularly, if the amplifier circuit comprises only a PNP type semiconductor, the circuit will respond to only the negative pulse signal of the supplied positive and negative signals and if the amplifier circuit comprises only an NPN type semiconductor, the circuit Will respond to only the positive pulse signal of the supplied positive and negative pulses. In otber words, if the amplifier circuit comprises only a PNP type semiconductor or an NPN type semiconductor, the circuit responds to eitber one cf the supplied pulse signals and, therefore, an apparatus utilizing an NPN type semiconductor amplifier or a PNP type semiconductor amplifier cant operate to actuate the electro-magnetic valve to supply washing water in response to botb the urinal users approach and leaving.

Accordingly, this embodiment utilizes a PNP type semiconductor and an NPN type semiconductor so tbat a positive pulse signal supplied from a differential circuit through a detecting device may actuate a circuit cornprising the NPN type semiconductor to open an electromagnetic valve in case of the urinal user approacbing the urinal and so that a negative pulse signal supplied may actuate another circuit comprising the PNP type semiconductor to open the electro-magnetic valve in case of the urinal User leaving the urinal.

This embodiment will be explained in detail by using FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Referring to the figures, an output from a detector 18 comprising an NPN type transistor keeps the same wave form (a2) in FIG. 5 as the wave form (a1) in FIG. 3 during the time interval from the time when the urinal user comes to the front of the electrical plate 8a in bis using position till the time when be leaves the using position. When a differential circuit 19 receives this output, the differential circuit 19 produces two pulses with reversed polarity each other as shown in FIG. 5 (b2) at the starting point and the terminating point of the said wave form (a2) in FIG. 5. Referring to the said two pulses produced by the difi'erential circuit 19, one positive pulse of the two pulses which is produced by the urinal user's approach is supplied to a onesbot multi-vibrator 21, which is one kind of so-called mono-stable one-shot multi-vibrators, being composed of an NPN type transistor tbrough an amplifier 20 comprising the same type transistor. On the reception of this positive pulse, the one-shot multi-vibrator 21 produces a constant time widtb output as shown in FIG. 5 (C2). The constant time width output operates to actuate a solenoid 24 of the electro-magnetic valve tbrougb an OR circuit 22 and an amplifier 23. As a result of the electromagnetic valve operation, the urinal will be wasbed by washing water supplied from the electro-magnetic valve prior to the urinal use. On the other band, in case of the urinal user leaving the urinal, another pulse, which is reverse in polarity with respect to the said positive pulse, Will be produced as shown in FIG. 5 (b2). Thus another pulse, tbat is a negative pulse, does not actuate the said amplifier 20 cornprising the NPN type transistor but does actuate a PNP type transistor 25. By the actuation of this PNP type transistor 25, a one-sbot multi-vibrator 26 which is one kind of so-called mono-stable one-shot multi-vibrators will produce a constant time widtb output as shown in FIG. 5 (d2).

By a converter 27, this constant time widtb output will be conve1ted into a positive signal as shown in FIG. 5 (e2) so as to actuate the solenoid 24 tbrough the OR circuit 22 and the amplifier 23. As a result 0f the solenoid operation, the urinal will be wasbed when the use1' leaves the same.

As mentioned above, in order to supply washing water with some time delay ar'ter the urinal user leaves the urinal, it has only to provide with a delay circuit (not shown in the drawings) in this embodiment of FIG. 4 as described in FIG. 2. By providing such a delay circuit it will be possible to actuate the solenoid by a signal as shown in FIG. 5 (f2) being delayed a little with request to the signal as shown in FIG. 5 (e2) and thereby to supply washing water after use.

As illustrated above, it is noted that the solenoid 24 operates as shown by a signal wave (g2) in FIG. 5 when the urinal user approaches the urinal and he leaves the urinal and that the electro-magnetic valve supplies amount of washing water corresponding to respective operation period of the solenoid.

FIG. 6 is a detail electric circuit of another embodiment cf the present invention, which will be preferable to illustrate a detector especially. Referring to FIG. 6,

Capacitor C1-C13. Resistor R1- R27.

NPN type transistor T1-T6; T8-T10. PNP type transistor T7.

Coil L1-L3.

Relay RY.

Static capacity of the electric plate 8c C.

A circuit comprising a transistor T1, coils L1 and L2, capacitors Cl-C5 and resistors R1-R3 is a kind of socalled Colpitts type oscillating circuits which operates to provide a large variation to an oscillating amplitude in response to a little change of the static capacity C caused by the urinal users approach with respect to the electrical plate 8c. Referring to this so-called Colpitts type oscillating circuit, there is provided with a negative capacitive reactance and a positive inductive reactance. The said negative capacitive reactance is permitted between the collector and emitter of the transistor T1 by connecting a parallel circuit comprising a capacitor C4 and a coupling coil L2 to transmitting an oscillating output to the following step and furthermore by connecting a capacitor C3 in series With the parallel circuit. The said positive inductive reactance is permitted between the base and C01- lector of the transistor T1 by connecting a series circuit comprising capacitors C1 and C2 and an inductance coil L1. The resultan't series and parallel resonant circuit may select either positive reaotance or negative reactance in accordance with a frequency supplied thereto, so it is noted that such resonant circuit has a close correlation with an oscillating condition of the oscillating circuit. In order to initiate an oseillation in this oscillating circuit, the reactance portion between the emitter and the collector of the transistor T1 should be positive with respect to a predetermined frequency. If adjusting the oscillating circuit to set the value cf the positive reactance portion in the neighborhood of the parallel resonance point, the static capacity C cf the electric plate 8c will increase by the users approach thereto and thereby the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit will be apt to decrease. On the other band, in the series and parallel resonant circuit which is adjusted the value of the negative reactance portion thereof to that in the neighborhood of the parallel resonance point between the emitter and the collector, the decrease in the oscillating frequency promotes the negative reactance to shift in the more negativedirection. Therefore, in the result, the series and parallel resonant circuit operates to increase the oscillating frequency of the oscillation circuit. When the urinal user approaches the electrical plate 8c, the static capacity C cf the electrical plate 8c will increase and the oscillating frequency will also increase. Therefore the value of the pre-adjusted positive reactance will shift to the neighborhood of the parallel resonance point and at least enter into a region of oo reactance from a region of +oo reactance. Accordingly, as the impedance between the base and collector with respeot to the oscillating frequency becomes negative, the oscillation will be terminated.

It will be understood from the description above that the oscillating circuit constructed by the transistor T1 supplies an output having a large variation of amplification which corresponds to a delicate variation of static capacity of the electrical plate. This output frorn the oscillating circuit is supplies through a coil L3 to an amplifier comprising transistors T2 and T3. An amplified output from the amplifier is supplied through a detector circuit comprising a transistor T4 to a so-called switching circuit comprising a transistor T5 so as to obtain an amplified changed switching signal to be supplied to a transistor T6.

Accordingly, in case of the urinal user not approaching the electrical plate 8c, the transistor T6 is kept in the conducting conditon, and on the other band, in case of the static capacity of the electrical plate 8c being varied by the urinal users approach thereto, the transistor T6 Will be changed to the non-conducting condition. Thi transistor T6 is connected to a differential circuit cornprising a capacitor C11 and a resistor R19.

Therefore, when the transistor T6 becomes neu-conducting by the urinal users approach to the electrical plate 8c, the said differential circuit supplies a positive dilferentiated signal. On the other band, the transistor T6 is changed frorn non-conducting to conducting by the urinal users leaving the vicinity of the electrical plate 8c, the said differential circuit supplies a negative differentiated signal as shown in FIG. 7 (a3). Among these differentiated signals, only the positive differentiated signal Will be supplied through the diode D2 to the fo1- lowing transistor T8. In this case, the said negative diiferentiated signal is stopped by the diode D2.

Referring to FIG. 6, it should be noted that, the transistor T7 is a PNP type transistor which is reversed in type With respect to NPN type transistors T1-T6 and T8-T10. Thereiore, as illustrated in detail above, the transistor T6 is changed into a non-conductive condition by the users approach with respect to the electrical plate 8c so as to make the differential circuit constructed by a capacitor C12 and a resistor R21 supply a negative differentiated signal through the diode D3, but the transistor T7 operates to supply a positive difierentiated signal as shown in FIG. 7 (b3) supplied from the differential circuit constructed by the capacitor C12 and the resistor R21 to the transistor T8 through the diode D3 when the transistor T6 is changed into a conductive condition from a non-conductive condition by the urinal users leaving the vicinity 0f the electrical plate 8c.

It is understood that only the positive diiferential signal Will be supplied to the following transistor T8 through the diode D3.

As explained above, it should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 7 (C3), one positive difierentiated signal will be supplied through the diode D2 to the following transistor T8 when the urinal User approaches the electrical plate 8c and that another positive diiferentiated signal will be supplied through the diode D3 to this said transistor T8. In other words, the transistor T7 operates to reverse the output from the transistor T6 in polarity and this operation is the sarne as that of the NOT circuit 15 shown in FIG. 2.

The circuit constructed by the transistors T8 and T9 is an one-shot multi-vibrator which is a kind of monostable one-shot multi-vibrators. When the said positive diiferentiated signal is supplied to the transistor T8 in the input-side 0f this one-shot multivibrator the transistor T9 will be conducting during the predeterrnined time which is determined by the condenser 13 and the resistor 24 and thereafter the transistor T9 will become nonconducting. In other words, when a positive differentiated signal having a narrow time width i supplied to this one-shot multivibrator, the multi-vibrator will operate to supply an output signal having a predetermined tirne width as shown in FIG. 7 (d3).

It should be noted that the positive output signals as shown in FIG. 7 (d3) is supplied to an amplifier in cluding a transistor T10 so as to actuate an electromagnetic valve (not shown) and thereby to supply washing water during the said predetermined duration equal 10 the time width of the output-signals each time when the urinal user approaches and leaves the urinal.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, When the urinal user approaches and leaves the urinal each water supply duration has a equal tirne width because the embodiment utilizes only one one-shot multi-vibrator. However, when it is desired to provide each water supply duration with a different time width, it has only to utilize two one-shot multi-vibrators which have different operating durations each other and are connected to the diodes D2 and D3, respectively so that outputs frorn both oneshot multi-vibrators may be supplied to the transistor T10 through an OR circuit.

A relay RY connected to the transistor T10 is energized by the conduction of the transistor T10 which is caused by the signal from the one-shot multi-vibrator to actuate an electro-magnetic valve (not shown). T he relay RY is energized when the urinal user approaches and leaves the urinal and thereby washing water is supplied to the urinal each time when the relay is energized. The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and i to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claimed appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus tor automatically washing a toilet fixture in two successive steps respectively responsive to arrival and departure of a fixture user, said apparatus comprising:

(a) antenna means having variable static capacity which changes from a first level to a second level upon a fixture users arrival and from the second level to the first level upon the users departure;

static capacity Variation detecting rneans responsive to said antenna means and supplying an output signal which changes from a first level t0 a second level and from the second level to the first level in accordance witl1 the respective changes in static capacity of said antenna means;

(c) a normally closed electro-magnetic valve proVided in a washing water supply line of said toilet fixture; (d) a first electrical circuit connected to said valve and responsive to a change of the output signal from said detecting means from the first level to the second level to open said valve for a predetermined period when a user arrives at the fixture; and a se cond electrical circuit connected to said valve and responsive to a change 01 the output signal from said detecting means from the second level to the first level 10 open said valve for a predetermined period when the user departs from the fixture.

2. The apparatus as defined in clairn 1 which is further characterized in that each cf said first and second circuits includes means for controlling the length of time during which said valve is open, the time controlling means 0f the second circuit being set for a longer period than the time controlling means of the first circuit, whereby the fixture washing operation at the users departure is of a longer duration than at bis arrival.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 which is further characterized in that said second circuit includes time delay rneans whereby opening of said valve by the second circuit is delayed until after the user has departed from the fixture.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 which is further characterized in that the changes between the first and second levels of the output Signal from said detecting rneans are changes of opposite signal phases to which the respective first and second circuits are responsive.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 which is further characterized in that the changes between the first and second levels of the output signal from said detecting means are changes of opposite signal polarities to which the respective first and second circuits are responsive.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2786210 3/1957 Fraser 4--100 2858546 11/1958 Tekenos 4100 2908017 10/1959 Whaley 4100 3151,340 10/1964 Teshima 4-100 3314081 4/1967 Atkins et al 4100 3334359 8/1967 Weingartner 4101 3,339,212 9/1967 Atkins et al 4--100 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 340258 

